Card rack



April 25, 1961 Filed June 1, 1959 R. c. BAlRD 2,981,019

CARD RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 64 ,INVENTOR,

ROBERT c. BAIRD.

A TTORNE Y5.

April 25, 1961 R. c. BAIRD 2,981,019

' CARD RACK Filed June 1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6.. 30 FIG.4. FIG.5.

INVENTOR, ROBERT C. BAIRD.

BY cd wk ATTORNEYS.

United States. Patent:

CARD RACK Robert C. Baird, 1036 S. Geyer Road, Kirkwood 22, Mo.

Filed June 1, 1959, S81. No. 817,356

18 Claims. c1. 40-124 This inventionrelates generally to improvements in a card rack, and more particularly to improvements in a rack of this type adapted for the vertical filing and partial display of time-cards, job order Cards, tabulating cards and the like.

Time cards and other types of cards used in industry are made and sold in a wide variety of sizes. The file racks or holders heretofore utilized were tailored to the size of the card that they were intended to accommodate. Such procedure, of course, necessitatesthe manufacture and storage of racks of many different sizes, thereby complicating and adding to the expense of the manufacturer dealing in these products.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved rack which is readily adjustable so that it is adapted to be used for holding time cards and other cards of all sizes now commonly used, thus elimimating the requirement for manufacturing and stocking a large number of different sizercard racks.

An important object is realized by the provision of an adjustable connection between overlapping flanges of the holder frame which enables selectively adjustment of the width of such frame; Other important advantages are realized by the provision of a plurality of card holders arranged in stacked spaced relationship within the frame, and by provision of an adjustable connection in each card holder which enables selectively expansion and contraction of the holder to conform with the adjusted width of the frame.

Another important object is provided by the provision of an adjustable connection between the frame and the bracket located between the spaced side walls of such frame, such connection enabling longitudinal adjustment of the bracket. A plurality of card holders having the structural arrangement discussed previously are connected to the side walls of the frame and slidably connected to the bracket so that the depth of the pocket provided between the card holders can be selectively varied uponadjustment of the longitudinal position of the bracket in the frame.

Yet another important objective is provided by a top closure on the frame which is constructed of overlapping slidably related parts capable of adjusting widthwise in order to conform to any adjusted width of the frame. Other important advantages are provided by the provision of a unique connection between the parts of the top closure and the side walls of the frame which enables quick and easy attachment or detachment.

Still another important objective is achieved by the provision of a front panel located between the spaced side walls at the lower end of the frame, such panel being composed of slidably connected overlapping parts adapted to adjust for any selected width of the frame and being provided with a quick connect-disconnect structure similar to that utilized in the closure cover previously described. 7

An important object is to provide a card holder that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manu- Patented Apr. 25,1961

facture, eflicient in operation, and which can be readily adjusted to accommodate any card of the sizes now commonly used.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a broken away, exploded perspective view of the card rack;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the card rack having various parts partially cut away and shown incrosssection in order to more clearly illustrate the construction of the component parts;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the card rack as seen along line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the rack being adjusted for a card of a particular width and size;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the card racksimilar to Fig. 2, but showing the rack adjusted for a card of lesser width and lesser length;

Fig. 5 is a crosss-ectional view as seen along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the card rack as seen along line 6-6 of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view as seen along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, partially in cross-section, of the card holder as seen along line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged top plan view of the card holder as seen along line 9-9 of Fig. 7, and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, enlarged view, partially in cross-section, of the card holder as seen along line 1010 of Fig. 7.

Referring now by characters of reference to the draw- 2 ings, it is seen that the card rack includes an outermost casing or frame generally indicated at 10 of a verttical, elongate channel-like structure having an open front. The frame 10 is formed of sheet metal and comprises a pair of complimentary right and left parts 11 and 12 that correspond in shape and configuration. Each part 11 and 12 includes a side wall 13 having a reversely bent portion 14 along the forward margin which provides an elongate compartment 15 extending the length of the rack. The compartment 15 is open at the top and bottom to provide sockets for connecting other parts of the rack in a manner described subsequently.

In addition, each of frame parts 11 and 12 includes a flange 16 extending toward the side wall 13 of the coacting part at the rear of the frame 10. The flanges 16 are arranged in overlapping relation and are inset from shoulder 17 provided longitudinally along the rear side of frame 10.

Provided in flanges 16 is a pair of aligned slots 20 extending transversely between the side walls 13. One pair of aligned slots 20 are located in flanges 16 near the upper end of the frame 10 while another pair of such slots 20 are located near the lower end of the frame 10.

A bracket referred to at 21 is located between the side walls 13 and attached to the flanges 16 of frame 10.

The bracket 21 consists of a rear wall 22 disposed contiguous to the flanges 16, forwardly extending side walls 23 and a front wall 24 spaced from rear wall 22. It is seen that bracket 21 is a tubular structure of elongate shape extending longitudinally of the elongate frame 10.

The bracket 21, and in particular the rear wall 22, is provided with a pair of slots 25 extending longitudinally of the bracket 21 and frame 10. One of such longitudinal slots 25 is located at the top of bracket 21 while another slot 25 is located near the bottom of such bracket. The longitudinal slots 25 intersect the aligned transverse slots 20.

A fastening means generally indicated at 29 attaches the bracket 21 to flanges 16 and attaches the flanges 16 together. This fastening means, best shown in Fig. 6, includes a bolt element 26 extending through each of the longitudinal slots 25 and;the.aligned transverse slots 20. A head 27 provided on the bolt element 26 seats on. the rear of the flanges 16 in the recessed portion provided by the inset arrangement of the flanges, thereby avoiding interference with the support 30 to which the rack is attached. Threadedly fastened o'n'the bolt element 26 and located within the tubular bracket 21 is a nut 31.

In attaching the rack to the support 30, a screw 32 is inserted through the hollow interior of bolt element 26 and is fastened to the support 30.

7 After attachment of therack to the support 30., the width of frame 10 can be selectively adjusted merely by loosening nut 31 and moving the frame parts 11 and 12 together or apart until the desired width is attained. The'bolt element 26 will move in the transverse slot to permit this result.

Further, the longitudinal position of bracket 21 in the elongate frame 10 can be selectively adjusted by use of the same bolt element 26 and nut 31. For example, the nut 31 is loosened and the bracket 21 is moved up or down to the desired position at which point the nut 31 is re-tightened. The movement of bolt element 26 in the longitudinal slot enables this action.

For reasons which will later appear, the front wall 24 of bracket 21 is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced openings 33.

A plurality of card holders generally indicated at 34 are located between the side walls 13 and frame 10 and are arranged in stacked superimposed relation longitudinally of the frame 10 and bracket 21, such holders 34 being spaced to provide pockets 35 therebetween.

Each of the holders 34 consist of a pair of L-shaped wires 36. The upper end of each wire 36 is located in a small slot 37 formed in the reversely bent portion 14 of a side wall 13. A plurality of small slots 37 are provided in each of the reversely bent side wall portions 14 in regularly spaced relation longitudinally of the frame 10 in order to accommodate the wires 36 comprising the stacked superimposed card holders 34. The wires 36 extend inwardly from their connection to side walls 13 to bracket 21, the'opposite end of each pair of wires 36 extending through one of the bracket openings 33 and thence into the interior ofthe tubular bracket behind the front wall 2 4.

Each of the card holders 34 include a bar 40 extending between and adjustably connected to the pair of wires 36.' The bar 40 consists of a rectangular sheet metal frame having an elongate opening 41 (Figs. 7 and 8) in its front face portion. The upper margin of the bar 40 is bent rearwardly and downwardly in the provision of a spring clip 42 adapted to receive and retain the horizontal arms 43 on the upper end of the wires 36. The lower edge of each bar 40 has a rearwardly presented flange 44 provided with a series of spaced recesses 45 to accommodate andhold in a preset position the wires 36. The upper spring clip 42 may desirably to provided with a plurality of recesses 46 spaced at points aligned with the recesses 45 of theupper clip 42, thus improving the grip of the bar 40 on the wires 36.

The outer extremities of the horizontal arm portions 43 extend into the compartment 15 of the reversely bent side wall portion 14 through the slots 37, and have downturn terminals 47 to assure against unintended displacement.

The wire card holder assemblies above described are adjustable to adapt them to the various adjusted widths of the outer frame 10. Card holder'adjustment is accomplished by swinging the bar 40 upwardly to free the wires 36 so that they can be displaced laterally in a contracted or extended position as desired. When suitably positioned, the bar 40 is swung back in place with the wires 36 seated in the appropriate recesses 45.

The manner in which the wire card holders 34 are installed in the frame 10 is best shown in the sectional views Figs. 3 and 5. It will appear that the wires 36 of each card holder 34 extend through an opening 33 formed in the front face of the longitudinally adjustable bracket 21. The space between each pair of vertically adjacent card holders 34 constitute a pocket 35 for a card generally referred to at 39 in Fig. 5. The front wall 24 of bracket 21 defines the bottom or rear end of each of the pockets 35 and determines the depth of such pockets. It will also appear that the depth of the pockets 35 can be adjusted by changing the vertical longitudinal setting of the bracket 21 with respect to the outer frame 10, as described previously.

The cover 50 or top wall of the assembly comprises a pair of overlapping rectangular plates 51 and 52, downturned at their forward margins in the formation of facia portions 53 and 54, which portions terminate in in-turned lips 55 and 56. Lip 56 is desirably'provided with a return bend that forms a groove or track to accommodate the lip 55 on the companion plate 51. These interfitting parts enable the top Wall plates 51 and 52 to be slidably adjusted, one within the other or smooth adjustment and width-wise expansion of this cover plate assembly.

The cover 50 is adapted to be secured in place upon the upper edges of the frame 10 by the provision of downwardly extending flanges 57 provided in the form of clips by upwardly directed return bends. The flanges 57 are adapted to fit securely within the upper end socket of the compartment 15 provided by the side walls 13.

At its lower end, the frame 10 is provided with a short section of front panel 60 consisting of overlapping plate portions 61 and 62. These plate portions 61 and 62 have overlapping inwardly directed flanges 63 and 64 at their lower extremities, and have at each side of the lower end an upstanding spring flange 65 adapted to interfitwithin the lower end socket of the hollow side wall compartment 15. Locking lugs 66 near the upper end, of panel plates 61 and 62 and at the side edges thereof, pass through compatibly formed slots 67 (Fig. 2) in the reversely bent portion 14 of the frame side walls 13, The front wall panel 60 is desirably made of a length equal to or slightly less than the length of the longest card intended to be accommodated in the rack.

It is thought that the assembly and operation of the card'rack has become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description ofthe component parts, but for completeness of disclosure the assembly and adjustability of the device will be briefly described.

In assembling the device, the frame parts 11 and 1.2,are arranged with their flanges 16 overlapping and the bracket 21 is located between the side walls 13 with. its rear wall 22 adjacent such flanges 16. Then, the bolt elements 26 are extended through thetransverse slots 20 and the longitudinal slots 25 in the manner previously described and secured by the attachment of nuts 31.

Then, the card holders 34 are attached to the frame 10 and bracket 21 in the stacked, spaced relationship previously described. Briefly, the pair of wires 36 comprising each card holder 34 have their horizontal arms 43 attached to slots 37 provided in the reversely bent portions 14 of frame side walls 13 and have their lower ends extending into one of the bracketopenings 33. A bar 4* is attached to each pair of wires .36.

The card rack is attached to a suitable support 30 such as a wall by placing it in the desired position and locating screws 32,through the hollow. bolt elements 26 and attaching such screws 32 to the support 3% In order to adjust the rack for a card of a particular width, thernuts 31 are loosenedon bolt elements 26, and the frame parts 11 and 12 are moved laterally so thatthe side walls 13 are expanded or contracted to conform to the width of the card utilized. Furthermore, the con-.

nection of the bar 40 with the pair of wires 36 constituting each card holder 34 is adjusted to vary the width of such wires 36 to conform with the adjusted width of the side walls 13.

In order to adjust the depth of pockets 35 to accommodate the length of the particular card utilized in the rack,

the bracket 21 is adjusted longitudinally in frame 10, the

. By moving the bracket 21 upwardly relative to the frame 10,'it is seen that the depth of pockets 35 is lessened. Conversely, when the bracket 21 is lowered relative to frame 10, the depth of pockets 35 is increased. It is preferred that the wires 36 be flexible so that such wires will bend upon engagement with the rear wall 22 of bracket 21 upon adjustment of the bracket, as is illustrated in Fig. 5.

After adjustment of the component parts to adapt the pockets width-wise and depth-wise to accommodate a particular card size, the nuts 31 are tightened on bolt elements 26 to lock the component parts tightly together. Of course, the rack can be similarly adjusted to accommodate cards of different sizes if and'when the need arises.

Time cards and other cards currently in commercial use and of a kind advantageously filed in a vertical display rack, vary in size from between 3 to 5 inches in width and from 5 to 10 inches in length. The rack described herein can be manufactured at a cost comparable with present day non-adjustable card racks, to receive cards of any size within the range above noted.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlaping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the Width of said frame, a bracket attached to said frame and disposed between said side walls, and a plurality of card holders attached to said'frame and to said bracket, said card holders being arranged in stacked, spaced relationship between said side walls to provide pockets between said card holders, each ofv said card holders including adjustably connected portions for selectively expanding and contracting the width.

2. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the Width of said frame, a bracket attached to said frame and disposed between said side walls, and a plurality of card holders disposed in stacked spaced relation between said side walls to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders including a pair of wires connected to said side walls and extending inwardly for connection to said bracket, and means interconnecting each pair of wires including an adjustable connection for varying the width.

3. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side Walls,

and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the width of said frame, a bracket attached to said frame and disposed between said side walls, and a plurality of card holders arranged in stacked, spaced relation between said sidewalls to provide pockets therebetween, each of.

said card holders including a pair .of wires connected to said bracket, a bar extending transversely between said wires, and an adjustable connection betweensaid bar and said wires for selectively expanding and contracting the width of said wires incident to adjusting the width of said frame. 7

4. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, said flanges being provided with aligned transverse slots, fastening means in said slots for attaching said flanges in adjusted width relation, a bracket attached to said frame and disposed between said side walls, and a plurality of card holders arranged in stacked, spaced re lation between said side walls to provide pockets there between, each of said card holders including a pair of wires connected to said side walls and extending inwardly for'connection to said bracket, and means interconnecting.

each pair of wires including an adjustable connection for selectively expanding and contracting the width of said wires incident to adjustment of the width of said frame. r

5. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and a rear wall, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means interconnecting the bracket and said frame for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, a plurality of card holders attached to said frame and arranged in stacked spaced relation between said side walls to provide pockets therebetween, and means adjustably connecting each holder to said bracket enabling the depth of the pockets to be varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket and said frame.

6. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and a rear wall, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means connecting the bracket to the rear wall for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being connected to said side walls, and means adjustably con necting each holder to said bracket enabling the pocket depth to be varied upon the longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame. v

7. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and a rear wall, a bracket disposed between said side walls, the bracket being provided with a slot arranged longitudinally of said frame, a fastening element extending through said slot and attaching said bracket to said rear wall, said fastening element and slot enabling the bracket to be adjusted longitudinally in said frame, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being connected to said side walls and extending inwardly to said bracket, and means adjustably connecting said card holders to said bracket enabling the pocket depth to be varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame.

I 8. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and a rear wall, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means connecting the bracket tothe rear wall for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being pivotally connected to said side walls, the bracket being provided with a plurality of spaced openings, the card holders extending inwardly from said pivotal connection with said side walls and slidably extending through said openings.

9. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side Walls, and a rear wall, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means connecting the bracket to the rear wall for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, the bracket including a front wall spaced from the frame rear wall, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to pro vide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being connected to said side walls, the front wall of said bracket being provided with a plurality of spaced openings, each card holder extending inwardly from its side wall connection and extending through one of said openings and behind the bracket front wall, the card holder being flexible, the pocket depth being varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame.

10. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and a rear wall, a bracket disposed between said side walls, a bolt and slot connection between said bracket and rear wall for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, the bracket being provided with a front wall spaced from said frame rear wall, said front wall being provided with a plurality of spaced openings, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being pivotally connected to said side walls and slidably extending inwardly through one of the openings in the bracket front wall, said card holders being flexible, the pocket depth of said card holders being varied by slidable movement of said holders in said bracket openings upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame.

11. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the width of said frame, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means interconnecting the bracket to said frame for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being connected to said side walls, and means adjustably connecting said holders to said bracket enabling the pocket depth to be varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame.

12. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the width of said frame, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means interconnecting the bracket to said frame for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, and a plurality of holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being connected to said side walls and extending inwardly to said bracket, means providing an adjustable connection between said card holders and said bracket enabling the pocket depth to be varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame, each of said card holders including adjustably interconnected portions for selectively expanding and contracting the width of said pockets upon adjustment of the width of said frame.

13. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, a bracket disposed between said side walls, said flanges being provided with aligned slots extending across said frame, the bracket being provided with a slot extending longitudinally of said frame and intersecting the said flange slots, a fastening means extending through said slots and interconnecting said flanges and said bracket, a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders being connected to said side walls, and means adjustably connecting said holders to said bracket enabling the pocket depth tobe varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame, each of said card holders including adjustably connected portions for selectively expanding and contracting the width upon width-wise adjustment of said frame.

14. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the width of said frame, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means interconnecting the bracket to said frame for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders including a pair of wires connected to said side walls, means interconnecting each pair of wires including an adjustable connection for varying the width of said wires, the connection and means adjustably connecting each pair of wires to said bracket enabling the pocket depth to be varied by slidable movement of the card holder in said bracket opening upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame.

15. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the width of said frame, a bracket disposed between said side walls, means interconnecting the bracket to said frame for adjusting the longitudinal position of said bracket in said frame, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, the bracket being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings, each of said card holders being connected to said side walls, and being slidably extended through one of said bracket openings to provide an adjustable connection enabling the pocket depth to be varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame, each of said card holders including adjustably connected portions for selectively expanding and contracting the width upon width-wise adjustment of said frame.

16. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, said flanges being provided with aligned slots extending across the frame, a bracket disposed between said side walls, said bracket being provided with a slot extending longitudinally of said frame and intersecting the frame slots, a fastening means extending through said slots and interconnecting said flanges with said bracket, the bracket being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings, and a plurality of card holders arranged between said side walls in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders including a pair of wires connected to said side walls and slidably extending through one of said bracket openings, and means interconnecting each pair of wires including an adjustable connection for varying the width, said adjustable connection of said card holders with said bracket enabling the pocket depth to be varied upon longitudinal adjustment of said bracket in said frame.

17. In a card rack, a frame including spaced side walls, and flanges extending from said side walls in overlapping relation, means interconnecting said flanges for adjusting the width of said frame, a bracket attached to said frame and disposed between said side walls, and a plurality of card holders attached to said frame and to said bracket, said card holders being arranged in stacked spaced relation to provide pockets therebetween, each of said card holders including adjustably connected portions selectively expanding and contracting the width upon width-wise adjustment of said frame, said side walls being provided with sockets, a cover over one end of said frame including overlapping sections for width adjustment, the cover being provided with flanges interfitting said side wall sockets.

18. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim 17 but further characterized by the provision of a front panel disposed between the side 2,981,019 9 10 walls at the opposite end of said frame, said front panel References Cited in the file of this patent including overlapping sections for width-wise adjustment, said side walls being provided with sockets at said op- UNITED STATES PATENTS posite end of said frame, said front panel sections includ- 2,112,925 Ostler Apr. 5, 1938 ing flanges interfitting the last said sockets. 5 2,789,700 King et a1. Apr. 23, 1957 

